· Global forum witnesses participation of 700 experts from 50 countries
· Representation of 68 international universities and 70 Indian universities and institutions.
· 340 speakers deliberate on critical criminology issues and challenges in 62 sessions over 3 days.
· Recommendation from experts likely to guide prevention of crime and deviance in the 21st century.
December, 19, 2016: Over 700 leading international academicians, researchers, anthropologists, sociologists, economists, lawyers, journalists, NGO workers, social activists, authors, forensic scientists, members of UN councils and IPS officers participated in the World Congress of Criminology (WCC), which was held in India for the first time at the O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat. The 18th edition of the World Congress, was organised jointly by the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS), a value based research institute of JGU and the International Society of Criminology.
The three-day event focused on the Criminological Opportunities and Challenges of the 21st Century in light of the current trends in Urbanisation, Globalisation, Development and Crime. Experts at the forum exchanged ideas and concurred to create new knowledge about crime and its control in a globalized world.
The forum was inaugurated by a special address by Hon’ble Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, Judge of Supreme Court of India, who underscored urbanisation as the leading challenge to governance and rule of law in his address, he said, “Looking at crime in the context of globalization is the need the hour. Such an initiative enables us to look at crime from a global perspective and come up with well- thought out solutions for reforming the system.”
Speaking at the conference, John A. Winterdyk of Mount Royal University, Canada said that human trafficking is the second fastest growing crime in the world and the third most profitable one. India, he pointed out, is the epicentre of human trafficking. According to the UN, India is the most dangerous place for women. At the root of it is illiteracy and poverty. Almost 80% of the women who are trafficked are lured by promises of better economic opportunities. Others are lured by love promises. Many of trafficked women are victims of domestic violence. The government, Mr Winterdyk said, needs to address the issues of poverty, illiteracy, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and age-old practices like child marriage. Only then can one hope to curb the menace of human trafficking human in India.
According to Prof R. Sudarshan, Dean, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that create huge inequalities. “You cannot have development without security; you cannot have security without development; and you can’t have both without human rights,” Prof Sudershan said.
Slawomir Redo, Academic Council on the United Nations System, Vienna, Austria, said, “Reducing the number of future crime does not only depend on more successful prisoner’s rehabilitation, but also on social reintegration of those released and better anti-victimization strategies and policies, starting with early prevention.”
Susan Edwards of Law School, Buckingham University, United Kingdom, urged the media, and all agencies and authorities concerned, to rethink and re-examine their duties towards, and representation of, schoolgirls and young women caught in the web of online terrorist recruitment by the ISIS.
The central theme of the Congress focused on the Criminological Opportunities; Challenges of the XXI Century, simultaneous panel discussions focused on critical issues pertaining to Extremism, Terrorism; Warfare; Mass Violence and its Impact on Society, Victimization of Vulnerable Populations; Crimes against Women and Children etc.
Delivering the valedictory address at the forum, Hon’ble Justice, Ms. Gita Mittal, Delhi High Court, said, “India’s severely fragmented justice system desperately needs integration and management. Efforts in this regard are lagging behind because of insufficient coordination and information asymmetry. Justice, Mittal further called for the active use of technology to facilitate transparency, equity and access to the justice system in her address.
Highlighting the importance of the theme of the conference, JGU, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. C Raj Kumar, observed, “Growing globalization has underlined the need for a broader and international collaboration in criminological research. In order to improve our response to the current challenges in crime and to ensure the protection of the states and individuals, we need to encourage investments and research in modern forms of crime prevention and control.
“We are delighted by the enthusiastic participation of over 700 participants from 50 countries from across the world. I would like to thank Prof. Emilio C. Viano and his colleagues from ISC for giving us the opportunity to co-host this conference and the delegates or their participation,” noted Prof. Kumar in his closing remarks.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Sanjeev P.Sahni, Principal Director, Jindal Institute of Behvioural Sciences, said “The 18th world congress was truly a melting pot of ideas on crime and deviance, it generated ideas and recommendations which are likely to influence crime prevention strategies and policies. After 4 days of high-calibre deliberations, from which we have all benefitted immensely, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who made the conference a success.”
Prof. Dr. Emilio Viano, President International Society of Criminology, said, “The 18th congress has been a successful attempt at debating and attempting to address some of the most cogent challenges and serious problems affecting our world today. As experts, we stand committed and renew our commitment to good research, professional advancements, and more importantly, to the values of decency and human rights for all”
The global congress which is being held under the aegis of the ISC since 1938, witnessed the participation of leading scholars from 68 international universities and over 70 Indian universities and institutions. Over 340 speakers presented research papers and deliberated on critical criminology issues and challenges in 62 sessions over 3 days of the global congress.
The 18th edition of the world congress was organized in India by Jindal Institute of Behavioral Sciences is a value based research institute of JGU, which is committed to understanding, developing and applying human process competencies through continuous experimentation, research and learning related to applied and experimental behavioral science. JIBS focuses on broad areas like social sciences, mental health, neurosciences, neural decision sciences, cognitive sciences, psychobiology management sciences, forensic sciences, social psychology, criminal behaviors etc.
